Clearwater Criminal Lawyer Blog
In Florida criminal cases involving multiple charges, whether or not those charges are tried together can have a significant impact on a defendant’s right to a fair trial. Defendants frequently seek to sever unrelated charges to prevent prejudicial spillover from one count to another, particularly in serious felony cases. However, when crimes are factually and temporally connected, courts often view them as part of a single criminal episode, allowing for joint prosecution. A recent Florida decision issued in a violent crime case exemplifies how courts evaluate and uphold such joinders, even when the charges involve multiple homicides, a police chase, and firearm evidence. If you are charged with one or more violent crimes, it is essential to consult a Clearwater violent crime defense attorney who can help you seek a favorable outcome.
Facts of the Case
It is reported that the defendant was involved in a violent crime spree that unfolded over a single evening in August 2016. Allegedly, the defendant was driving a silver rental car with several passengers, including a witness who later testified for the prosecution. During the first event, the defendant reportedly fired several shots into another vehicle, killing one individual and narrowly missing another. Witnesses described the encounter as stemming from a road rage incident.
It is further reported that shortly thereafter, approximately 13 miles away, the defendant committed a second shooting. Witnesses claimed that the defendant confronted a man outside an apartment complex, accused him of being a “snitch,” and then fatally shot him. The same witness from the first shooting testified that the defendant bragged about the earlier homicide just prior to the second killing.
The ensuing investigation led to a high-speed police pursuit that culminated in a crash and the defendant’s eventual arrest. DNA evidence and ballistics analysis linked the defendant to the firearm used in both shootings. Shell casings from the scenes matched the gun recovered near the crash site, and forensic analysis revealed that the defendant’s DNA was present on both the weapon and the vehicle.
It is reported that the defendant was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of aggravated fleeing to elude. The jury convicted the defendant of first-degree murder in one shooting but returned lesser-included verdicts of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder for the other counts. The defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment. He then appealed.
Severance of Criminal Charges Under Florida Law
On appeal, the defendant challenged the trial court’s refusal to sever the murder charges, arguing that trying the cases together deprived him of a fair trial. The court applied Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.150(a), which allows for joinder of offenses “connected in a significant way,” either through a common scheme or close temporal proximity. Here, the court reasoned that the shootings occurred within a 36-minute span, involved the same vehicle and firearm, and were observed by the same witness. Moreover, the court found that the shootings were not merely proximate in time and space but were causally and contextually linked, forming part of a single crime spree.
The court emphasized that one of the defendant’s own statements, bragging about the first murder just before committing the second, established a factual bridge between the events. In light of these connections, the court held that the joinder of the charges was proper and did not compromise the fairness of the trial. Additionally, the court pointed to the jury’s decision to convict on lesser charges in some counts as evidence that it had independently evaluated each offense.
Discuss Your Rights with an Experienced Clearwater Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are charged with a violent crime, every procedural decision can affect the outcome of your case, and you need an attorney who understands how to challenge unfair procedures and protect your rights at trial. The seasoned Clearwater violent crime defense attorneys at Hanlon Law have extensive experience litigating complex felony cases and will fight for your best interests at every stage of the process. If you have been charged with a violent offense, contact our office today at 727-897-5413 or complete our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.